Chris Christie Faces More Questions From Hill Democrats on Sandy Aid

Two New Jersey Democrats are wading into the muck of controversies surrounding their Republican governor, Chris Christie.

In addition to revelations that high-ranking aides to Christie ordered lane closures on the George Washington Bridge in alleged retribution against the mayor of Fort Lee, N.J., and allegations from the mayor of Hoboken that the Christie administration tied Superstorm Sandy aid to a development project, Democrats are targeting Christie’s overall handling of Sandy aid.

On Friday evening, Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. and Bill Pascrell Jr. released a statement in reaction to reports that their home state had canceled its contract with Hammerman & Gainer Inc., a Louisiana firm overseeing a billion-dollar housing recovery initiative in the wake of the superstorm’s destruction.

The contract was terminated weeks ago without public notification or explanation, and the House lawmakers want to know why.

“It’s simply unacceptable that it took seven weeks for us to learn that the contract with the firm handling the largest Sandy recovery program had been terminated,” the two lawmakers said in their joint statement. “The manner in which this information has come to light is concerning and Governor Christie’s Administration must come forward and explain.”

“We have both heard numerous accounts from constituents that critical storm aid has been slow to come, and today’s news raises serious questions about the efficiency with which the Christie Administration has managed this important program,” Pallone and Pascrell said. “The people of New Jersey deserve a full explanation about the lack of transparency of the recovery grant programs and how this much needed funding has been distributed.”

“It’s simply unacceptable that it took seven weeks for us to learn that the contract with the firm handling the largest Sandy recovery program had been terminated. The manner in which this information has come to light is concerning and Governor Christie’s Administration must come forward and explain why HGI was terminated and put forth a plan to execute the RREM program moving forward.

“We fought alongside our colleagues in Congress to secure these Sandy recovery funds in the face of tremendous opposition from the Tea Party and we won’t stand for any more excuses as to why so many New Jerseyans are still waiting for much needed help. We have both heard numerous accounts from constituents that critical storm aid has been slow to come, and today’s news raises serious questions about the efficiency with which the Christie Administration has managed this important program. The people of New Jersey deserve a full explanation about the lack of transparency of the recovery grant programs and how this much needed funding has been distributed.”

The time stamp on this is after 5:00 on a Friday evening. I don’t know if this was part of a “News Dump” or if the story just now broke. Roll Call is often the first with stories coming from the House.

camdenme2

Both Pallone and Pascrell are very much Demorat patisans,way left of center ! Hit men that the mafia would be proud of !

Banshee2

You just keep supporting that fat crook you elected Governor. I’m just glad that went I drive through NJ I never spend money and just leave a BM at the rest stops. That’s all the citizens who voted in the fat fraud deserve.

Hutch King

I think we can all agree that today’s liberalism is a foul and cankerous pox upon mankind.